Toy maraca

ABSTRACT

A toy maraca is formed having first and second blow-molded shells, each having a hollow interior and a bottleneck extension. Sounding pellets are provided in at least one of the shells and the shells are joined by a connecting member having oppositely facing recesses each for receiving one of the bottleneck extensions of the first and second shells.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The inventor of the present invention currently makes a maraca using a blow-molded shell as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,808,215.

[0002] While the maraca as described in the referenced patent is suitable for use by adults, it does not comply with regulations issued in some countries for toys. The present invention is a maraca designed to conform to regulations for products to be used by small children. It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved maraca which complies with regulations for use by children.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] In accordance with the invention, there is provided a toy maraca, which includes first and second blow-molded shells; each having a hollow interior and a bottleneck extension. Pellets are provided in at least one of the shells. The bottleneck extensions of the first and second shells are received in a connecting member having oppositely facing recesses to join the shells and form the toy maraca.

[0004] In one arrangement, a cap may be provided closing the bottleneck extension of one of the shells. The shells may be ovoid or one or both of the shells may be toroidal. In a preferred arrangement the connecting member has an exterior surface which blends with the exterior surface of the shells. The connecting member may be formed of rigid or resilient material.

[0005] For a better understanding of the present invention, together with other and further objects, reference is made to the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and its scope will be pointed out in the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006]FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of a toy maraca according to the present invention.

[0007]FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the FIG. 1 maraca.

[0008]FIG. 3 shows a second embodiment of a toy maraca according to the invention.

[0009]FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the FIG. 3 maraca.

[0010]FIG. 5 is a side view of the FIG. 3 maraca.

[0011]FIG. 6 shows a third embodiment of a toy maraca according to the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown a first embodiment of a toy maraca 10 according to the invention. Maraca 10 includes first and second blow-molded shells 12 and 14, which are similar to the blow-molded shells described in the aforementioned patent. In the example of FIGS. 1 and 2, the shells are identical, but it will be recognized that they may be of the same or different sizes and possibly different shapes. A connecting member 16 is provided to interconnect blow-molded shells 12 and 14. The shells are preferably attached to connecting member 16 by adhesive. For this purpose, each of the shells 12, 14 includes a bottleneck extension 20, which is received in one of oppositely facing recesses on connecting member 16, which may be injection molded. In a preferred arrangement, the bottleneck extensions include a peripheral ridge 22, which is received in a corresponding internal groove in the recess on connecting member 16.

[0013] One or both of the shells 12, 14 may also be provided with a plug 18 for retaining sounding beads or pellets 24 within the shell. Pellets 24 may be provided within one or both of the shells. The overall length of toy maraca 10 may, for example, be about 13 cm.

[0014] The exterior surface of the connecting member is designed to form a smooth exterior surface with the mating shells. In the example of FIGS. 1 and 2 the shells are ovoid and the connecting member has a circular edge which has the same diameter as the shells at the mating location.

[0015]FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 illustrate a second embodiment of the invention 30 having a first shell 32, which is ovoid, and similar to the shells 12 and 14 of the first embodiment. A second shell 34, is toroidal to provide an internal hole for gripping by a small child. Shells 30 and 34 are joined by connecting member 36. The upper rim 42 of connecting member 36 is circular to conform to the shape of the exterior surface of ovoid shell 32. The lower rim 44 of connecting member 36 is oval in shape to conform to the exterior surface of toroidal shell 34.

[0016] As shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 4, shells 30 and 34 include bottleneck extensions 37, 39 which are received in corresponding recesses in connecting member 36. In a preferred arrangement, one or both of the bottleneck extensions 37, 39 may be provided with a peripheral ridge 40, which is received in a corresponding recess in connecting member 36. Pellets 46 may be provided in one or both of the shell members 30, 32. An optional plug 38 is shown covering the opening of bottleneck extension 37 of shell 32. The overall length of toy maraca 30 may, for example, be 14 cm.

[0017] In a further arrangement 50 shown in FIG. 6, there are provided two toroidal shells 52, 54.

[0018] The connecting members for each of the embodiments illustrated may be injection molded of relatively rigid plastic. Alternatively, the connecting member may be molded of resilient material such as natural or artificial rubber to allow flexing of the maraca at the center.

[0019] While there have been described what are believed to be the preferred embodiments of the invention, those skilled in the art will recognize that other and further changes and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention, and it is intended to claim all such changes and modifications as for within the true scope of the invention. 

In the claims:
 1. A toy maraca comprising: a first blow molded shell having a hollow interior and a bottleneck extension; a second blow molded shell having a hollow interior and a bottleneck extension; pellets within at least one of said shells; and a connecting member having first and second oppositely facing recesses, each receiving one of said bottleneck extensions of said first and second shells.
 2. A toy maraca as specified in claim 1 wherein there is further provided at least one cap closing said bottleneck extension of one of said shells.
 3. A toy maraca as specified in claim 1 wherein one of said shells is ovoid.
 4. A toy maraca as specified in claim 3 wherein both of said shells are ovoid.
 5. A toy maraca as specified in claim 3 wherein the other of said shells is toroidal.
 6. A toy maraca as specified in claim 1 wherein both of said shells are toroidal.
 7. A toy maraca as specified in claim 1 wherein said connecting member has an exterior surface that blends with exterior surfaces of said shells.
 8. A toy maraca as specified in claim 1 wherein said connecting member is formed of resilient material. 